News & Views - Mapungubwe

2
29 NEWS & VIEWS 28 NEWS & VIEWS SACRED PLACE his is Mapungubwe, home to ancient civilisations filled with mystery and beauty. The Greater Mapungubwe has always been known to be a very spiritual and historical place. Many people have noted that they have spoken to their ancestors or at least heard them speak in their unique language which is often hard for many to fathom. I have always wanted to hear from my ancestors, well, I may not have spoken to them this time around but I am glad I had that brief spiritual experience. Put it this way, we feel and experience spirituality whether alone or with our ancestors in different ways.To own a home in this place is a luxury that few can afford but brief encounters such as the one I had will leave a lasting impression and who knows, maybe I will buy my own piece of paradise one day. Mapungubwe Private Nature Reserve is situated in the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area on the banks of the Limpopo River bordered by World Heritage Sites and National Parks. It is here that I run wild (almost) as I watch the African game roam free in a unique conservation area and home to many people who prefer living in the bush. Mapungubwe, situated in the Limpopo Province means a place where jackals eat and is derived from ‘phungwe’ (Venda name for jackal). The Mapungubwe Landscape was declared a World Heritage Site on 3 July 2003. I watch with interest as herds of elephants head for the river to drink. Animals such as lion, gemsbok, eland can be found in the mopani areas around the large dams. There is a rare variety of birdlife along the river banks as well. This is more than just wildlife and scenery. Remains of fossil footprints have been discovered along the river banks making this place a sanctuary of beauty and art. The Mapungubwe Private Nature Reserve is one of the largest privately owned pieces of land which consists of 10 farms. These include, Kruidfontein, Modena, Somerville and Pontdrift. The property development in this conservation started with the purchase of Kruidfontein farm in 1996. Swedish national Leif Rahmqvist was on a safari in South Africa and actively looking for an area to set up his own private farm. He then went on to buy the other nine farms and the nature reserve was set up. HOME IN A As I sit under the Baobab tree, I hear the wind blowing gently. It feels very spiritual to sit here and take in all the sounds and sights. By Denise Mhlanga

Transcript of News & Views - Mapungubwe

29

NEWS & VIEWS

28

NEWS & VIEWS

SACRED PLACE

his is Mapungubwe, home to ancient civilisations filled with mystery and beauty. The Greater Mapungubwe has always been known to be a very spiritual and historical place. Many people have noted that they have

spoken to their ancestors or at least heard them speak in their unique language which is often hard for many to fathom.

I have always wanted to hear from my ancestors, well, I may not have spoken to them this time around but I am glad I had that brief spiritual experience. Put it this way, we feel and experience spirituality whether alone or with our ancestors in different ways. To own a home in this place is a luxury that few can afford but brief encounters such as the one I had will leave a lasting impression and who knows, maybe I will buy my own piece of paradise one day.

Mapungubwe Private Nature Reserve is situated in the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area on the banks of the Limpopo River bordered by World Heritage Sites and National Parks. It is here that I run wild (almost) as I watch the African game roam free in a unique conservation area and home to many people who prefer living in the bush. Mapungubwe, situated in the Limpopo Province means a place where jackals eat and is derived from ‘phungwe’ (Venda name for jackal). The Mapungubwe Landscape was declared a World Heritage Site on 3 July 2003.

I watch with interest as herds of elephants head for the river to drink. Animals such as lion, gemsbok, eland can be found in the mopani areas around the large dams. There is a rare variety of birdlife along the river banks as well. This is more than just wildlife and scenery. Remains of fossil footprints have been discovered along the river banks making this place a sanctuary of beauty and art.

The Mapungubwe Private Nature Reserve is one of the largest privately owned pieces of land which consists of 10 farms. These include, Kruidfontein, Modena, Somerville and Pontdrift. The property development in this conservation started with the purchase of Kruidfontein farm in 1996. Swedish national Leif Rahmqvist was on a safari in South Africa and actively looking for an area to set up his own private farm. He then went on to buy the other nine farms and the nature reserve was set up.

HOME IN A

As I sit under the Baobab

tree, I hear the wind blowing gently. It feels very spiritual

to sit here and take in all

the sounds and sights. By Denise

Mhlanga

31

NEWS & VIEWS

30

NEWS & VIEWS

Fences surrounding these farms were removed to allow game to freely move around the 24 000 hectare property. The Mapungubwe Private Nature Reserve also has a 3 500 hectare property development with only 64 one hectare stands for sale. These range from R900 000 to R2 600 000. Buyers have a choice of where they would like to build their property within this area. There are three categories which include 14 river stands, 31 dry riverbed stands and 19 bush stands.

The properties will be built such that owners have privacy and great views of bush and game. The remaining 1 800 hectares will be preserved in their natural state as wilderness area purely for the enjoyment of game viewing and bush walks. The architecture of the properties will incorporate the cultural heritage aspects of the area.

According to Jurgen Elbertse, responsible for the development, the architecture would be different styles but the emphasis will be on energy efficient homes and unique architecture. Although it is unlikely that there will be high occupancy throughout the year, levies will form part of the income stream in order to sustain this conservation area. He says because this is a heritage and big game area and everything within needs to be maintained, cutting down of trees is prohibited and no gardens will be allowed only the planting of indigenous trees will be encouraged.

Asked about who buys in this development, he says mostly people who are involved in conservation and who want to be part of the big open plan/open conservation living. Mapungubwe Private Nature Reserve is open to the famous Central Tuli Block in Botswana. Buyers particularly like the idea of buying property in a nature conservation area where they get the opportunity to conduct their own game drives at their own pace.

On the property market itself, Elbertse says the effects of the slow property market have not really affected this development. “This is a unique development which will increase in value hence the appetite from buyers.” As I drive off the Greater Mapungubwe, I take one look and still, the serene and calm envelops this sacred place, fit for true bush living, in touch with all things natural and spiritual.

Remains of fossil footprints have been discovered along the river banks making this place a sanctuary of beauty and art.